Knock! Knock!

"Jiao'er, are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here," Ye Jiao stood up and headed to the door. She opened it as she saw Qi Huan standing there. "Has the time for us to ignore each other over."

Qi Huan grinned. "Let's go to the next room. The third phase of the Spring Hunt is about to begin."

"Ok."

The next room that they meant was obviously Lu Wan's room. Their rooms were located next to one another because they booked it after one another. Of course, the inn owner didn't even know that they knew each other.

Knock! Knock!

"Who is it?" Lu Wan's voice emerged from within the room.

"Lu Wan," Qi Huan called out. "Let's have a talk."

"Finally," Lu Wan opened the door. His appearance was messy as he barely took care of himself for the past few days. As he moved away, Qi Huan and Ye Jiao could see the messy room in front of them. Papers, ink, books, and many others scattered on the ground as if there was an earthquake.

Ye Jiao inched inside and looked around. "Senior Brother Lu, where should I stand?"

"Just sit on the chair or my bed with QI Huan. I'm going to clean up a bit," Lu Wan said carelessly. He picked up his paper and many others before stuffing them on his storage bracelet. The room turned clean instantly as everything was moved into his storage bracelet.

Qi Huan shook his head. "You really need someone to take care of your room."

"Nah, it's fine."

"So, what are we going to talk about?" Ye Jiao changed the conversation before Lu Wan told Qi Huan that she was the one who used to help clean up the young man's room. There was no need to share that to other people.

Qi Huan sat down on the floor and leaned on the table behind him. "Let's see. First of all, we still need a year to two before we can reach rank 3 and possibly attend the examination to the academy. It means, we have to stay alive one way or another within the next two years."

"Why are you talking as if we're going to die soon?" Lu Wan complained. He didn't like the way Qi Huan said it. It was as if they would die soon without knowing what happened to them.

Qi Huan looked at Lu Wan. "Your position is in the greatest danger. If you know what happens to her father, you should know that the same thing can happen to you, right?"

"What are you…"

"Are you denying that you're not going to give loyalty vow to the imperial family?"

Hearing that, Lu Wan kept his mouth shut. He had to admit that he didn't want to say the vow to stay loyal to the imperial family. Making a vow to the Heaven was seen as the greatest promise and if they didn't fulfill it, they would have to face the punishment. As for what kind of punishment it was, no one knew for sure.

Some said that they would die on the spot, some said that they would be cursed by the Heaven, and many others. One thing for sure, once they uttered a vow, they have to follow through until the end.

For Lu Wan, that was a vow he would never say to the Imperial Family.

Qi Huan crossed his arm. "Your result in the race is already more than enough for them to pay more attention to you. The result in the forest can be connected to me because I have been known as a young genius, but the second one is solely yours. It wouldn't take a long time for them to start scheming and having you fell for their trap."

"I'll be fine," Lu Wan sulked.

"What's your plan after you return back to Chen Kingdom Capital City?"

"I plan on having another closed door training and after a while, I'll ask for permission to travel around the area to gain experience," Lu Wan admitted. "I'll find a way to make them allow me to leave."

Ye Jiao arched her eyebrows. "Is it possible to travel around when you're only rank 2?"

"Normally children at rank 2 start to gain experience outside," Qi Huan explained. "This is the tradition in some kingdoms and applicable to those outside too. I can easily gain permission as I have already completed my study."

"By study, do you mean the education you usually receive until you're 17 of age?"

"Yes."

"…" yep, truly a walking encyclopedia.

This prince practically finished his education five times earlier compared to normal people. Both Ye Jiao and Lu Wan didn't know what to say anymore regarding this prince's capabilities.

"If you're that amazing, why do you choose to become an a.s.sa.s.sin?"

"Who knows?"

Lu Wan took out his chain blade while swinging his arm and Qi Huan did the same while Ye Jiao jumped to the back.

Clang!

"You're extraordinarily annoying," Lu Wan uttered out.

"Many thanks for your praise," Qi Huan smiled with his amiable smile. He pushed the blade back and Lu Wan kept his weapon in his storage bracelet once again. "Let's back to the topic."

Ye Jiao was speechless. It seemed that she just found out why the two of them didn't seem to like each other. They were the polar opposite of one another. 

If Qi Huan was the perfect person who could hide his feelings well, Lu Wan was unable to act and always let his action speak first. If Qi Huan was the knowledgeable type, Lu Wan was the reckless type. If Qi Huan was a very responsible leader, Lu Wan would be the irresponsible one and leave everything up to luck.

Why did her Master pick up the two of them at around the same time? She truly didn't understand her master's decision to pick his disciple.

"Since we reach rank 2, it means that we can also start doing missions on our own, right?" Ye Jiao recalled the rules that their master told them a long time ago. They were only allowed to start doing missions on their own after they reached rank 2.

"Yes."

"You're correct," Qi Huan nodded. "Does it mean you want to do mission on your own?"

Ye Jiao nodded in acknowledgement. She had been wanting to do missions on her own because with Lu Wan, she would feel extremely nervous. Lu Wan's reckless action always made her feel like slamming a rock on his head. But every time it worked out, the boy would be extremely smug to the point she wished to smack him too.

In short, whatever happened, she wished to hit his head. 

"Then it'll be better if you didn't return back to Chen Kingdom Capital City."

"Sorry?"

"What?"

Seeing the two of them didn't understand, Qi Huan crossed his arm. "You're going to be under the watch of the imperial family. Even after you start going out to hunt, I doubt they'll leave you alone. Ye Jiao has a lot of enemies in Chen Kingdom Capital City, so it'll be better if she roams outside and earns more power before she returns back for her revenge."

"That makes sense," Ye Jiao also knew that she would be unable to do anything with the strength as Eon Energy Master rank 2. At the very least, she had to reach rank 3 if she wished to contend against those masters. If she didn't, she might lose her life in the exchange.

Lu Wan pursed his lips. He had started to get used to have Ye Jiao in his residence. Having her left him so suddenly left a bad taste in his mouth. Yet at the same time, he knew that it was for the best.

"After the Spring Hunt is over, I'll return back by myself. You should stay here and head over to the nearest Bao Fu Organization Headquarter. I'll follow after your step in the future," Lu Wan said.

"Ok. Don't take too long, Senior Brother Lu."

"Heh, don't worry," Lu Wan grinned. "I'll definitely head over soon enough that you won't realize that you're going first."

Qi Huan shook his head. "He's just bragging. Chen Kingdom won't let you off easily unless there's a catastrophe in the city. You're just hoping for something nonsensical."

"Men can dream, you know."

"You're dreaming too much."

"You-!"

Clang!

Ye Jiao sighed to herself when she saw the two of them start fighting. Somehow, it seemed that Lu Wan had left all of his previous restraint and acted as he wished in this place right now.